Family Safety Day won’t be held this year in Londonderry

By APRIL GUILMETUnion Leader Correspondent

LONDONDERRY — Local police and fire officials are temporarily putting the brakes on the popular Family Safety Day event this fall in order to fully devote their efforts to encouraging correct car seat usage.

.As of January 1, New Hampshire state law will require children to use car seats until they either turn seven or grow to at least 57 inches in height, whichever is reached first.

Currently, the state’s car seat requirement applies to children 55 inches or shorter...Londonderry firefighter Vinny Curro, who organizes Family Safety Day each September, said he decided to focus solely on car seat checks this year due to growing concerns about the law change.

In previous years, the event has featured local vendors, food and a variety of fun and educational activities emphasizing the many ways children and families can stay safe...There won’t be a Family Safety Day this year, Curro said.

Free monthly car seat checks are already a regular part of the Londonderry Child Passenger Safety Program, though in recent months attendance has steadily decreased...“This is a major concern for us,” Curro said.

According to statistics provided by the New Hampshire Child Passenger Safety Program, over 90 percent of all car seats installations need correction.

Curro said he’s hoping to spread the word to area families and have his team of certified technicians check as many car seats as possible for National Seat Check Saturday...On Saturday, Sept. 21, certified technicians will be at Matthew Thornton School from noon to 3 p.m.

Information on the new legislation will also be made available for participants, and no appointment is necessary...For more information call 432-1104, ext. 4623 or send emails to cps@londonderrynh.org.